♫ The ones standing on the top of the thistles and thorns to look up ♫
♫ will see through vicissitudes of life ♫
♫ In this city wahere both good and evil are hiding from each other, ♫
♫ I will survive with you ♫
♫ That ray of light guides me to overcome sorrow by its brightness ♫
♫ Meeting you at that time means you're my destiny ♫
♫ Desires wear down the edges and corners of my heart and ♫
♫ laugh at forever-losing leniency ♫
♫ I insist on being the grain which cannot be burned down by the wildfire ♫
♫ to feed the love ♫
♫ Standing in the center of the surges, winds are my thoughts ♫
♫ Rain is the hunting ground urging the horse to fight back ♫
♫ Lift up my head to look at the non returnable times at a distance ♫
♫ The torch in front of my eyes is surging ♫
♫ The sky is getting darker and darker ♫
♫ The path is getting longer and longer ♫
♫ I know hearts cannot waver ♫
♫ Whoever dares to be a king during the chaos of the world ♫
♫ will stop evils with all his might for sure ♫
♫ Then there is hope ♫
[Princess Agents]
~ Episode 34 ~
Immediately send someone to the black market
and investigate the source of these burial valuables.
As long as we are able to get any trace of evidence,
we can then have Yan Xun executed.
We didn't do it clean and left too many loopholes.
Yan Xun is much shrewder than his father.
Last time, His Majesty was disturbed.
We cannot act rashly in Chang'an.
But we can begin with Northern Yan and Xianyang.
I've got it.
Master, it takes a lot to purchase the Chamber of Commerce at Xianyang.
This is this month's account book. Please take a look.
The Chamber of Commerce at Xianyang is a lot stronger than we thought.
To swallow them all up at once,
will require more money.
Master, do you think
we should use tax money from Northern Yan?
No way.
Not only should we not do it,
but we also need to immediately make up the embezzlement money we took previously.
If the money is not sufficient, use our own.
And also take some money from our chambers of commence.
At this desperate period, don't give others a reason to criticize us.
I understand.
You can all go.
- Yes. - Yes.
Ye'er, stay.
Have him leave, too.
Uncle, he is deaf. He can't hear a thing!
This matter,
I cannot mention it in front of any other live person besides you.
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Dancing Fingers Team @ Viki.com
Go out.
- Uncle. - Ye'er, how have I been treating you all these years?
Uncle, you have brought me up as your son, a great debt of gratitude.
You are like my real father.
You detest many things in this family,
but you cannot stand by while the family is in trouble.
Uncle! What exactly happened?
Didn't Official Liu get convicted for the Royal Tomb crime already?
Corruption, ganging up for our interests, and even selling official ranks and titles...
These great and small crimes
are not enough to destroy the Wei family.
A long standing feudal family will have some dirty money.
His Majesty knows about this clearly.
Then...
Then what should we do?
I have something that I have kept in my heart for a long time.
In one moment in the past, I made a grave mistake. Now that I think about it, I regret it greatly.
What?! Uncle, how could you be so foolish?
I just made a momentary mistake.
I thought it was a perfect plan.
No one would ever find out.
I never imagined that today would come.
Uncle! In this world, there are no perfect plans!
For now, we must take the Jaded Cauldron out from the coffin.
Your grandfather is already dead and buried.
How could we rashly dig his tomb, open his coffin and disturb his peace?
Our family is about to face great trouble!
Right now, if Grandfather knew, he'd find it hard to rest in peace!
Actually, there's another way.
Besides you and I, there is a third person who knows about this.
As long as we get rid of him,
in this world, no one will know about this again.
Who?
Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Construction, Liu Shen.
Heir Apparent!
You've suffered.
Mister.
Liu Shen?
Hasn't he been repatriated already?
He belongs to Wei Guang. He is the one who took the blame of the Royal Tomb incident this time.
What is that important item you just mentioned?
I was too far away and they were speaking too softly.
I didn't hear some things clearly.
But it is definitely a very important object.
Right now, there's no need to care about all that.
The most important person is Liu Shen.
He holds the key to destroying Wei Guang.
Where is he now?
He was involved in the Royal Tomb incident and was removed from his office yesterday.
I already sent someone to watch him.
He has packed up his things, so he probably intends to run.
The Liu family is a noble family from the southwest. If he escapes back to the southwest,
then we will have no chance.
I will go and cut him off.
You cannot let this person escape.
- Yes. - Yes.
Uncle, everything is ready.
You must be careful.
Do not worry, Uncle.
Go!
Who are you?
Bandits? Thieves?
Oh! You're from Wei Guang!
Listen! My father is the prince of the southwest, Liu Yi!
If you dare to hurt me, you will all suffer!
Where are you going?
You all! Who on earth are you?
Don't kill me! Don't kill me!
It's you.
You leave then.
You all!
- Behave yourself! - Why did you guys let him go?
What are you doing?!
You're injured.
Let go of me! Let me go!
Don't move! I know it hurts.
But I have to wrap it up.
Let go of me!
No!
Yuwen Yue, when did you become so thick skinned?
I've always been like this. Did you never realize it?
Let go of me on the count of three.
I'll be done when you count to 100.
He's right! It'll be done very soon!
Let's get on our way immediately! Good fortune!
Good fortune! Good fortune! Let's get on our way!
What are you doing?
He's annoying. If you're annoying, too,
I can stick you two together.
I want to take this person away.
You know it, too. It is only right if he leaves with me.
Based on what are you saying that?
Did His Majesty send you?
Did you guys steal the Wood Buddha from the Royal Tomb?
Everything was within your control.
What else would you like to ask?
Since you know everything, why didn't you uncover us?
For you.
I got it.
You probably want to use this chance to get rid of Wei Guang, too. Right?
If discussing this will make you happy,
I can chat with you for a little while.
When did this happen?
They have entered into the city.
At this time, they have probably arrived at the palace gate.
You've looked carefully, right? Liu Shen really is among them?
Indeed.
What are you doing, Older Sister Noble Consort?
Is it for Official Wei?
I heard the entire family has to be killed.
Forever Serene Platform will be quite noisy this time.
Don't be rude!
Wen Shan,
shut up.
Yes.
Your Highness, please rise.
His Majesty has told you to return to your palace.
I have been by His Majesty's side for many years.
I can guess some of what he is thinking.
He still loves you.
He is afraid you'll get hurt, but cannot see you.
Things have come to this. There is no way to turn the tables.
Yes, Your Highness.
You must keep your body healthy. There are many days to come.
Eunuch, please give this hairpin to His Majesty.
For my first birthday in the palace,
His Majesty gave this to me.
Okay.
Don't worry, Your Highness. I will definitely bring it to him.
Uncle.
I am old.
I can no longer continue working for His Majesty.
I will take full responsibility for what I have done.
It has nothing to do with the rest of the Wei family.
Official Wei, you took responsibility for everything.
Do you think His Majesty will believe you
by using the tactic of abandoning the pawn to protect the general?
Wei Shuye,
you must see His Majesty with me
to accuse Official Wei.
This—
Only this way, will the entire Wei family avoid being executed.
Please allow me to bow to you.
There's no need.
I'm not doing this for you.
Wei Shuye is not a despicable greedy person.
To have him pay for your actions,
is not worth it.
Shuye, yurry and go with General Yuwen to see His Majesty.
Tell him about all of my crimes.
Uncle, you raised me since my childhood.
Now that you are in trouble,
I am willing to die with you!
The Wei family must have a successor! This is the only way!
Are you willing to watch the entire Wei family be killed?
Ye'er, I'm begging you!
Uncle!
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Dancing Fingers Team @ Viki.com
Only with the increasing taxes of Northern Yan, without my permission,
you can get one hundred million taels of gold alone.
These equal the provisions
of the whole Northern Yan people for half a year.
Explain to me.
I know I am guilty! I deserve to be cut into pieces!
You even dared to steal the White Jaded Cauldron of the last Emperor
and hide it in your own family's tomb?!
So... do you want to rule the world?
It wouldn't be enough for me to kill nine generations of your family!
Your Majesty, Wei Shuye has played a big role in helping
find the Jaded Cauldron and the secret imperial edict.
I hope Your Majesty will see things clearly.
Wei Guang was not only greedy, took bribes,
but also encroached on Northern Yan and disturbed my Great Wei.
Planned rebellion with evil intention. He shall not be forgiven.
Behead him immediately.
But Wei Shuye placed righteousness above his family and earned great merit.
From now on, Wei Shuye will be the head of the Wei family.
Remove half of Wei's land and family soldiers as a warning to others.
You can all leave now.
Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!
I earnestly beg Your Lady Highness to forgive me.
You only followed imperial orders. You had no choice but to do it.
Moreover, my older brother was indeed the one who brought trouble unto himself.
You preserved the life of Ye'er and allowed the Wei family not to be totally exterminated.
Why then must you ask for forgiveness?
Get up now.
Thank you, Your Lady Highness.
Now that my maternal clan has suffered such a huge blow,
Ye'er is like Su'er and Chun'er.
They are all naive people that do not know the evils of this world.
In the future, I will still have to trouble you
to guide them more,
and to take care of them more.
I will do my best.
The Princess is here!
Cousin!
- Princess. - Hurry and get up.
My Consort Mother asked me to visit you.
Uncle was muddled and committed such a grave crime;
hence, he ended up at such a state.
Good thing, he didn't bring trouble to you and Auntie.
It is already at this time. Don't say such things anymore.
Today is the day of the execution. I heard that you were ordered not to leave the house.
Do not be very sad anymore.
My royal older brother already asked people to take care of the prison.
Uncle most likely will not leave in much pain.
Thank you, Princess.
Why are you thanking me?
You should feel lucky that not only did my Emperor Father not punish you,
he even allowed you to lead the whole Wei family from now on.
You must be smarter and not do any stupid things again.
Okay.
It is noontime already, right?
Wei Guang should be dead now.
He died so easily.
He got let off so lightly.
In this kind of weather,
I really want to drink some wine.
There is wine in the kitchen.
I will go and get you some.
Just saying.
The imperial decree states,
"We use scholarly ways to govern the world and warrior ways to suppress a rebellion.
The generals, captains, and capable soldiers are the protectors of the nation,
and the whetstone and pillars of the government.
Thus, I select talented individuals,
only focusing on their skills and not with their backgrounds.
The female Chu Qiao is skilled in both intelligence and fighting with both talent and virtue,
treats her master with loyalty and serves her king with sincerity.
She imitated Mulan and should be made as a good example.
I am especially conferring her today to be the archery trainer of Knights Camp.
Hope subject can lay down your life in the battlefield,
prioritize state affairs over personal ones, and not disappoint my huge hope in you."
That is all.
That really came at such a right time.
The Knights Camp is currently being led by Prince Xiang.
Also Yuwen Yue.
The Knights Camp is an important army here in Chang'an.
Most of them are sons of nobility.
Internally, it has numerous factions which compete against each other vigorously.
It has always been led by princes who have very valuable position.
Prince Xiang was born with a highly privileged life and he has gained military achievements.
That is enough to suppress the arrogant and bold soldiers under him.
It is just that the army is a man's world.
A woman like you leading a group of men is already making it difficult for you.
I am now an eyesore for the Wei emperor.
He wants to use this chance to suppress me.
There are already so many people that are currying the favor of the Wei Emperor.
I really am worried for you to go there.
We can't do anything even if you are worried about it.
We can't really disobey the imperial decree, right?
And also, if you didn't say it, I almost forgot that I was a woman.
Don't you trust my abilities?
Do not worry. I will be fine.
If there is any problem, tell me immediately.
We already are not the same as 3 years ago.
If I can't even protect you, the humiliation I endured for these past 3 years
will then be meaningless.
It is just a measly Knights Camp.
Just right, let us go take a look at it.
Move aside!
Your Highness, the new archery trainer is here.
Do you still need to inform me about a measly trainer?
Just take her to the camp.
She was an archery trainer personally conferred by His Majesty.
That woman.
Bring her in.
Yes.
Your Highness, Trainer Chu is here.
Greetings, Your Highness Prince Xiang.
Get up.
Yes.
Are you Chu Qiao?
Yes.
I also have long heard of your great name.
I saw you in the banquet last time and you indeed have great skills.
You are not inferior to any men.
The people then were quite a few so I was unable to have any chance to talk to you.
I never thought that there would be a chance today that we would be serving the same military camp.
Your Highness has over-praised me.
I dare not.
I heard that during the rebellion of Northern Yan,
when the whole family of Heir Apparent Yan were arrested for their crimes,
it was you who stayed by his side ever since
and has protected and taken care of him.
We both are people without homes to go back to. We were just banding together to get some warmth.
Heir Apparent is of noble status yet he did not mind my lowly background,
it was really my honor.
You are indeed a heroic lady.
No wonder Emperor Father would send you to my camp.
Although my Wei is not like the southern dynasty
where they have practices of letting women take up official positions,
it is actually the first time that a woman was allowed to enter a military camp as a soldier.
I am quite frightened by the great kindness of His Majesty.
Is the sword in your hand
the Rainbow Ruining Sword?
Yes.
Your Highness.
I have a troop in my camp that just so happens to be lacking an archery trainer.
Go now. Do your job well.
If you meet any problems, just come to me anytime.
Take Trainer Chu to her post.
Yes.
Thank you, Your Highness.
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Dancing Fingers Team @ Viki.com
- Men! - Here.
Call for General Yuwen Yue.
Yes.
Xue Zhileng, do you think that by tormenting me like this,
I will definitely ask for your forgiveness?
If you are able, then kill me.
He Xiao, do you want to die?
I will grant you your wish!
Commanding Official,
Deputy Commander was just enraged at the moment so he spoke without thinking.
You are magnanimous so please just spare him!
Commander Xue, the crime Deputy Commander He committed doesn't need the death penalty.
I beg you to let him go.
What are you all doing?
All of you, get up!
All of you stand up and listen to my command!
He Xiao is destabilizing the troop's morale and bewitching people to revolt!
Today, I am executing him for the crime of deserting the army.
Execute immediately!
Wait!
Who are you that you dare stop a military execution?
I am the new archery trainer here in Knights Camp that His Majesty personally conferred.
I was ordered by Prince Xiang to report here.
Since you are here to report for your job, why then must you meddle with other people's business?
Do you know what crime he has committed
that you dare to stop his execution?
I dare not.
I just arrived here at this camp and saw many soldiers kneeling to beg for mercy on his behalf.
What crime did this person commit?
As the general of Wei, he kept thinking of going home.
Isn't that bewitching and destabilizing the army's morale?
Commander Xue, if you want to kill me,
why must you still come up with so many excuses?
Just kill me with one sword.
Commander Xue, if we talk about bewitching the army's morale, it is better not to make conclusions that fast.
You should at least inform your superiors about it first.
In cleaning up my own troops, there is no need to bother the general. Right?
The soldier you are trying to kill is not some ordinary soldier.
He is the Deputy Commander of Knights Camp, the Commander of the Xiuli Army.
And the Xiuli Army is an important army that guards Chang'an.
When did they become your own army?
You should first inform His Highness Prince Xiang and General Yuwen about it, am I right?
Trainer Chu, you are insisting on defending him today then.
I dare not.
It is just that I only started work today and something like this is happening.
It is quite an unlucky start for me.
If Commander Xue will insist on doing it, I then can only leave
to inform His Highness Prince Xiang and let him uphold justice.
Fine, I will give you respect today.
Thank you very much, Commander Xue.
Let us go!
Yay!
Are you looking for me?
When did you start managing the work of the soldiers in the camp?
I am the Deputy General in the camp.
The redeployment of the soldiers and work distribution are part of my job.
Part of your job?
You're so responsible.
How come I didn't discover it before?
If there's nothing, then I'll leave first.
Come back. There's something.
You won't really like her, right?
I really have something to discuss! Come back!
Is Your Highness angry?
Am I that petty?
Why does Deputy General Yuwen like Trainer Chu that much?
Ever since ancient times, girls suffer in military camps.
Getting humiliated and getting bullied is something usual for them.
Look at our Knights Camp. Who is not from either a feudal family or a noble family?
How could a little girl who just became free, mark her place here?
From looking at the whole camp, only the Xiuli Army from Northern Yan,
who are getting discriminated and feel guilty towards Yan Xun, will listen to her.
Yuwen Yue arranged for her to enter the Xiuli Army.
If he isn't taking care of her, then what else could be going on?
That's right. That makes sense.
I am just afraid that in the end,
he is just wasting his efforts.
Commander, that girl was the one on the Forever Serene Platform
who was with the Heir Apparent.
How could it be unreal? Over these years, she has been living with Heir Apparent at Yingge Garden.
She got famous after beating Princess Zha Ma recently.
His Majesty ordered her to become the archery trainer here.
She is the first female general in Wei history!
She's been famous since a long time ago!
Then the Heir Apparent must listen to her!
If she could help us explain...
Stop dreaming.
How could I be dreaming?
She worked so hard to help us just now!
It's clear that she doesn't hate us.
She just entered the camp today and was suddenly sent to us.
She probably doesn't even know who we are!
Our bad reputation
has lead to nobody believing in us.
And do you even hope that she can help us?
Just look. Once she finds out,
our lives will become even harder!
I haven't been home in three years.
I wrote hundreds of letters home.
There wasn't even an oral message sent back.
I wonder how my parents are doing.
My new wife
said she was pregnant before I left.
I don't know if it was a boy or a girl.
Don't think too much.
Trainer Chu, are you looking for me?
He Xiao, are you okay?
I'm okay, Trainer Chu.
This is the best medicine for injuries. Here.
Thank you, Trainer Chu.
That's right. How do you know me?
There's only a few Northern Yan citizens in Chang'an City. How could I not know you?
I not only know you, He Xiao.
Ge Qi,
Wu Danyu.
You are all from Northern Yan's Xiuli Army,
a troop under Liu Ziye's command back then.
Rest well.
Thank you, Trainer Chu.
It's so late. Aren't you sleeping yet?
Trainer Chu.
I can't sleep.
I can't sleep either.
Did I disturb you just then?
No.
I also know a friend who likes to play Hichiriki*. (* a double reed Japanese flute.)
Who?
Heir Apparent Yan.
Do all Northern Yan people like playing this?
Hichiriki is part of the army's instrument.
My dad was the one that taught me how to play Hichiriki.
Heir Apparent Yan's knowledge of Hichiriki
was probably taught by the Duke.
Your family is in Northern Yan. You probably haven't returned for three years, right?
Two years, eight months, and twenty one days.
I'm afraid... if I want to go back now,
I don't know where I'll go back to.
Ever since that incident happened,
my older brother kicked me out of the family.
My wife
was pregnant.
She wanted to escape from Northern Yan and come to find me.
She was caught by horse bandits halfway.
When they heard she was my wife,
they killed her.
I never thought that because of this incident,
that person even became a hero of justice.
The court invited him afterwards.
I heard he's a court official now, too.
Who is that person?
He even killed a pregnant woman.
If I ever get a chance, I'll get revenge for you.
But I am a traitor!
Do you think that being a traitor is shameful?
Totally unforgivable.
Then why didn't you choose to die?
Your older brother knows what honor and shame to the clan means.
Your subordinate in the past, Liu Ziye
committed suicide long ago on top of Xiuli Mountain.
And you?
Why are you still alive?
Do you think I don't want to die?
But if I die,
what will happen to the Xiuli Army?
They loyally followed me and we treated each other with absolute sincerity.
Now, they suddenly became traitors!
If I die,
who will protect them?
To me,
they are not just my subordinates.
Now, they are my family, too.
I have the responsibility to take them back to Northern Yan.
Even if we can't go back,
I should make them live better.
Even if things become harder,
I must bear it.
As a traitor,
aren't you overthinking too much?
Do you believe me?
If you believe me,
does that mean
that His Highness Heir Apparent will also believe me?
Him?
He is currently within the lair of the tiger.
He lost his entire family.
There are countless pairs of eyes watching him.
The three year deadline is looming.
He doesn't even know how much longer he will live for.
Whether he believes you or not,
is that important?
What happened in the past was not one person's fault.
Zhao Dongting, as ordered by His Majesty, fooled you all to open the city gates.
Your actions can be explained.
But when Beishuo was massacred, the Black Falcon Army of Northern Yan
implemented a suicide form of attack and got totally annihilated.
The Hongchuan Army of Northern Yan also resisted and ended up blood soaked.
They fought until the last man. And you all?
First, you committed the crime of negligence.
You allowed the entire Northern Yan to die for your stupidity.
You gave up on fighting back, left Northern Yan and came to Chang'an.
You lived as cowards for so many years.
Even if you didn't voluntarily become traitors in the past,
but these three years have passed.
You all have turned the traitor name into reality.
I pity your misfortune, but I do not approve of your actions.
In enduring humiliation as part of an important mission and suffering patiently but firm with the resolve to take revenge,
one must still have a goal.
Or else, you will totally just become someone just getting by and living an ignoble existence.
What is your goal?
I can't see it.
A person must live while holding hope and persistence.
Or else, what is your difference with zombies?
There are many days to come.
Where your future path leads,
you still have time to think about it slowly.
Timing and Subtitles brought to you by The Dancing Fingers Team @ Viki.com
♫ The wild wind blows the moonlight into confusion ♫
♫ My life is like being expelled ♫
♫ The flame is hidden in my heart ♫
♫ Who will laugh at my rough interior ♫
♫ My wings are destroyed by fate ♫
♫ I fall into the bottomless abyss ♫
♫ Memories are sealed ♫
♫ The wind and snowfall are unbridled ♫
♫ Even if I am trampled, I won't look up to you ♫
♫ What doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger ♫
♫ This breathing is heat ♫
♫ This heartbeat is light ♫
♫ Bit by bit, it brews the power for all my life ♫
♫ The boiling in my eyes lights up the hope ♫
♫ No matter how many wounds I have ♫
♫ I'm willing to burn the flame in my heart to shine through everywhere ♫
♫ To melt the coldness of the secular world ♫
♫ If only the bright moon knows my thoughts ♫
♫ If there is a long path and eternal darkness, so what? ♫
♫ I want the boundless flame of the heart to be boiling again ♫
♫ To burn into a light ray of the horizon ♫a
♫ I'm reborn after a fire bath ♫
♫ Fragrance fills heaven and earth ♫
♫ The red spider lily blooms again ♫
♫ To burn into a light ray of the horizon ♫
♫ The red spider lily blooms again ♫